Coupling for trolley-wires



(No Model.)

W. H. KEGKELEY. GQUPLING PORTROLLEY WIRES.

Peitented Feb. 21, 1893" 155i.

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\VILLIAM HENRY KEOKELEY, OF OOVINGTON, KENTUCKY.

COUPLING FOR TROLLEY-WIRES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 492,301, dated February 21, 1893.

Application filed December 10, 1892. $erial No. 454,795. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HENRY Knox- ELEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Covington, in the county of Kenton and State of Kentucky, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Couplings for Trolley and other Wires, Rods, and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to couplings for wires, rods and the like, or, more especially, to connectors for trolley and other electric wires, all of which will be fully hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawingsFigure 1 is a longitudinal, side-elevation, showing my invention in its preferred form, with two wirereceptacles, as it appears in use, full size, with broken off portions of trolley-wires there in; Fig. 2 a similar view, but with the side lid or plate removed, and one end in section, to expose the interior or working-parts, one

wire being also removed thereby permitting its locking-wedge to assume its normal position; Fig. 3 aplan view of Fig. 1-; Fig. 4 a longitudinal section on line 411,00, of Fig. 2, looking upwardly, as indicated by the arrow adjacent said line, and with the lid in place; Fig. 5 a perspective view of one form of my coupling herein for accommodating one end only of a wire or rod; Fig. 6 is a top plan of another form of my invention, having three branches, to provide for as many wire or rod ends; and Fig. 7 a detail elevation of an ordinary toothed wheel or circular grip-claw, which is shown as a modification of the toothed wedges in the preferred form, (Fig. 2.)

A represents a box or case, of elongated triangular shape, and, having a large sideopening, which is provided with a suitable lid or covering-plate B, the ends of the latter being preferably beveled and sliding into dovetail guideways or receding sides a, constructed near either end said bar.

A represents the several ends or portions of the wire or rod to be connected.

In my preferred form, which is especially adapted to trolley wires or conductors, I construct the connector with two boxes formed integral, (perpendicular to perpendicular,) as best seen in Fig. 2, and provide a single plate or lid B to close both boxes, the latter feature being best seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

b is a screw for securing lid B firmly in place. The inner face of the lid must fit snugly against the outer face of the box to prevent the entrance of water or moisture, but in case any leakage should occur small drain holes 5 are provided in the bottom, which will readily carry it off. The opposite ends of the double-box or preferred form are squared off and rounded with a slight taper outwardly, and constructed with a short central bore or opening 0, through which the ends of the wire are inserted.

0 represents a central upright web or partition, being broader at its lower portion 0, for the proper engagement of the said lid fastening-screw b, and forming a rear abutment-wall or stop for the inner ends of the wires.

D, D, represent wedges, one in each box, with its narrowest portion or flaring end at disposed toward the outer end of the receptacle, and its lower-face or bottom (1 toothed or channeled transversely. The top and bottom inner walls of each box taper toward the openings 0, the upper or top one being the greater, and the upper or top face of each wedge D is tapered to correspond to that of said upper wall, as best seen in Fig. 2, and said wedges are each provided with a spiral-spring E at their inner or broad ends, which springs form yielding-supports therefor, to present them in proper position normally for the insertion thereunder of the ends of the wire.

One end of each spring E is suitably secured by solder or otherwise to the butt or inner end of the wedge, and the other end similarly secured to the central partition or web a. In the operation or use of my device in ,said preferred form, the adjacent ends of the wire to be connected or coupled in line, are-each inserted in the openings G at either end the connector, preferably until their ends abut the lower enlarged portion 0 of partition a, freely riding or passing inwardly under the flared and toothed wedges D, whose springs or yielding supports E become compressed and flexed somewhat, (as seen in the spring to the left in Fig. 2.) The outward pull or strain on the wire serves to draw on the wedges whose teeth are forced slightly into the soft wire by their riding downwardly on the said tapered upper inner walls of the boxes or receptacles, and thus automatically catch and hold the ends of said wire. It is obvious that the greater the strain or pull on the wires, the greater the tendency of the toothed wedges to embed themselves therein shall be, and the more firmly the connector shall clamp or hold the ends thereof together. The metal in the wedges need be but a trifle harder than that of the wire or conductor, just so that its teeth readily embed themselves into said wire on engagement therewith, and the entire connector is formed of any suitable metal which is agood conductor that will not in any wise impair the use of the trolley-wire, or interpose or cause any material resistance therein. To make the engagement of the Wedges and wire doubly sure, the bottom of each box or chamber is slightly inclined from its opening 0 inwardly, and, the end of the wire thus has a tendency to be disposed downwardly, as best seen to the left in Fig. 2, the outer portion of said wire serving by its weight and tension to positively force the inner end thereof upward against the toothed bottom of the wedge, thereby practically forming a double wedge.

The springs E, while they serve to properly support the wedges in the boxes in position for the incoming wires to be connected, also serve to obviate any accidental backward movement of said wedges when in use.

The modified form of claw or wedge shown in Fig. 7, is simply a toothed wheel or disk adapted to run freely within the chambersof the connector, and therefore without the spring-support, but it is obvious that its engagement with the end of the wire would be uncertain on the insertion thereof, and also in use should any backward movement in the wire occur.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown how my automatic hold-fast socket or box may be ap plied for use as a connector or holder for a single end of a wire or a rod, and also as a holder for three wire ends. In Fig. 5 lateral ears F provided with screw or bolt holes f, project from the rear end of one box which contains a single wedge as before described, and this form is thus adapted to be secured on a wall, pole, or elsewhere, as desired. The lid or plate B is dovetailed and secured by means of a screw inserted at its inner end. In Fig. 6 an extra box or wire-holder projects centrally at right angles from the back of the double form of box seen in the first four views, being preferably cast integral therewith, and its lid or plate is secured as in the form shown in Fig. 5.

It is obvious that any consistent number of branches or holders, as herein shown and described, could be grouped together for uniting the ends of wires or other like objects, without changing the principle of each holder-box,

and their detailed form need not be described or shown.

The action of my wedge or claw-holder being instantaneousand automatic, it is clear that a great saving in time and expense results, in both the original stringing of wires and subsequent repairs or additions thereto. In connection with over-head trolley electricrailways it can be carried to advantage on the cars, and readily applied by the motormen themselves, should a break occur in the conductor without delay or difficulty, or the employment of expert workmen, which is necessary where solder and other means hitherto in vogue are employed. When it is desired to release a wire from the connector, simply remove the screw 19 and slide the lid from the side opening. Then place a pointed instrument under the outer flared end of the wedge and raise said wedge laterally from the chamber, thereby disengaging the teeth from the wire. Slack in the wire can thus be readily taken up at any time, by simply chipping off the ends of the wire and re-inserting it in the box.

The dotted lines at both ends of the lid in Fig. 1 and also seen to theright in Fig. 2, are made on a slight incline or taper, so that the width of the space between the dovetails at the top is greater than at the bottom, and the lid being correspondingly constructed, it is obvious that the lid cannot accidentally drop from place in case the screw b becomes disengaged. The shape and width of the connector are also such that it cannot be easily upset or overturned in use on trolley-wires where it is best adapted for service, and it will thus be held or maintained upright, as shown in the first two views.

I claim 1. In a wire or red coupling or connector, a box having an inner triangular chamber or receptacle, an inlet opening or orifice at one end, and an abutment wall at the other, a toothed wedge or claw within said chamber, and a yielding support or spring for said Wedge, constructed, arranged, and adapted to operate in connection with the end of a wire or rod, substantially as herein set forth.

2. In a wire or rod coupling or connector, a double pointed or tapered box or frame having a triangular chamber or receptacle at either side a central partition or abutment wall, an inlet opening or orifice at either end, a side opening or openings for both said chambers, a lid or plate covering said side openings, and wedges or claws suitably mounted within said chambers, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM HENRY KEOKELEY.

Witnesses:

JOHN E. J ONES, L. M. J ONES. 

